Total net takings from gambling during 2004-05 was $15.5 billion, according to results released today from an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey of gambling services businesses.
The major source of net takings was from poker/gaming machines in clubs, pubs, taverns and bars reaching $8.7 billion or 56.3% of total net takings from gambling.

Other major sources of net takings included off-course TAB takings of $2.1 billion, casino gambling of $2.6 billion and lotteries, lotto style games and football pools of $1.4 billion.

Net takings from gambling for businesses operating in New South Wales ($6.2 billion) and Victoria ($4.4 billion) represented 68.4% of the total net takings from gambling.
Casinos generated $3.3 billion in income during 2004-05. Net takings from gambling ($2.6 billion) was the most significant source of income for casinos, representing 77.1% of total income. Takings from meals and accommodation generated $0.4 billion or 12.4% of total income.

The Gambling Services Survey also found that during 2004-05:

There were 76,848 people employed in the provision of gambling services in Australia. The majority (45,737 people or 59.5%) were employed in hospitality clubs and pubs, taverns and bars.

Net takings from online gambling were $114.3 million from a gross turnover of $1.4 billion.

Total income (net of payouts to players) of businesses involved in the provision of lottery services was $1.9 billion.

Total income (net of payouts to players) of businesses involved in the provision of other gambling services such as bookmaking services and totalisatorservices (e.g. TAB)and agencies was $5.4 billion.

Further details are in Gambling Services, Australia, 2004-05 (cat. no. 8684.0) available free of charge from the ABS web site <www.abs.gov.au>.